The Second Journey of the Wise-Men By ABBY G. BAKER Literary Supplement SCHOOL COOPERATING COMMITTEE Ford Building, Boston, Mass. SUNDAY AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONARY UNION WOMAN’S BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, Ford Building, Boston, Mass. WOMAN’S BAPTIST FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE WEST 88 E. Thirtieth St., Chicago, Il. FOREWORD HIS Christmas exercise may be given in either of two ways: first, with practically no stage setting, in which form it can be used for a Sunday school missionary concert pro- gram, or substituted for the regular Sunday evening service of the church; second, with a little stage setting, described on pages 11 and 12, it can be adapted for the Christmas entertain- ment of the Sunday school, or given as a missionary entertainment by any branch of the church. If desired, - it can be simplified by having only one of the wise-men speak, taking the parts of all three. The service can be used in smaller schools, as well as in larger ones. In giving it as a Sunday evening service, or as a Sunday evening mis- sionary concert exercise, the effect will be far better if a little of the spectacular is allowed; for instance, the church should be darkened just before the program is begun; an electric star, or one illuminated by a lamp, should be lighted as the room is darkened and the room remain darkened during the first two songs and the first recitation. The singers and the speaker should of course be unseen. The effect will be most impressive if the three wise-men appear in the ‘costumes described in the supplement and if the American boys and the visitors from the Orient, who appear in the last scene, are dressed as de- scribed. Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon having the speakers selected with great care, that they may be heard and understood in all parts of the room where the service, or program, is given. If desired, one of the young men of the school can take the part of the superintendent. Six copies of this supplement will usually be found sufficient. The su- perintendent needs one, another is needed for the wise-men, two must be cut up for the others who take part and the committee in charge should retain the remaining two. Extra copies may be had if desired. The Second Journey of the Wise-Men I “Cantique de Noel.” (As the room is darkened, the star over the center of the platform 1s lighted and an invisible choir sings the “Cantique de Noel.”) SINGING. II Recitation. “The First Christmas.” (As the singers conclude, an unseen Speaker recites the following selection from “Ben Hur.) It was now the beginning of the third watch, and at Bethlehem the morning was breaking over the moun- tains in the east, but so feebly that it was yet night in the valley. The watch- man on the roof of the old khan, shivering in the chilly air, was listen- ing for_the first distinguishable sounds with which life, awakening, greets the dawn, when a light came moving up the hill toward the house. He thought it was a torch in some one’s hand; next moment he thought it was a meteor; the brilliance grew, however, until it became a star. Sore afraid, he cried out, and brought everybody within the walls to the roof. The phenomenon, in eccentric motion, con- tinued to approach; the rocks, trees and roadway under it shone as in a glare of lightning; directly its bright- ness became blinding. The more timid of the beholders fell upon their knees, and prayed, with their faces hidden; the boldest, covering their eyes, crouched, and now and then snatched glances fearfully. Afterwhile the khan and everything thereabouts lay under the intolerable radiance. Sychmeas dared look beheld the star standing still directly over the house in front of the cave where the child had been born. In the height of this scene, the wise- men came up, and at the gate dis- mounted from their camels and shouted for admission. When the steward so far mastered his terror as to give heed, he drew the bars and opened to them. The camels looked spectral in the unnatural light, and, beside their strange appearance, there were in the faces and manners of the three visi- tors an eagerness and exaltation which still further excited the keeper’s fears and fancy; he fell back, and for a time could not answer the question they put to him. “Ts not this Bethlehem of Judea?” But others came, and by their presence gave him assurance. “No, this is but the khan; the town lies farther on.” “Ts there not here a child newly born?” The bystanders turned to each other marveling, though some of them an- swered, “Yes, yes.” “Show us to him!” said the Greek, impatiently. “Show us to him!” cried Balthasar, breaking through his gravity; for we have seen his star, even that which ye behold over the house, and are come to worship him,” The Hindu clasped his hands. exclaim- ing, “God indeed lives! Make haste, make haste! The Saviour is found, Blessed, blessed are we above men.” (At this point the speaker pauses im- pressively for a moment and then con- tinues: ) “And when they were come in they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense and myrrh... . For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. .., They shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us: ... and his name shall be called Jesus, for he shall save his people from their. sins. ... Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,...and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” III Sincinc. “We Three Kings.” (The entire effectiveness of the fore- going recitation depends upon having a speaker or reader who will enunciate clearly and speak sympathetically. As the speaker concludes, the three wise- men come forward to the platform in the semi-darkness and sing, “We Three Kings of Orient Are,’ each verse as a solo or together as preferred, and the invisible chow responds antiphonally with the chorus.) IV RECITATION, “Jesus’ Plan of Christ- mas.” (As the singing is concluded the wise- men withdraw, the lights are turned on and a speaker comes to the platform and says: ) We have just been hearing of that first Christmas,—the night when Jesus was born, the night when by his birth he brought Christmas to the world. I wonder if we have thought of how he planned to continue the Christmases? Listen, and see if you can find his plan in this little story of his life which I shall tell you: (speaks slowly and clearly.) For thirty and three years Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of man- kind, lived his earth-life here in the world. It is recorded of him that he came not to be ministered unto but to minister; that he came to preach the gospel to the poor; to heal the broken- hearted, to give deliverance to the captive and recovery of sight to the blind, to comfort all that mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning; to proclaim the accept- able year of the Lord. For thirty and three years he went about doing good, and then—most won- drous truth of all—he gave his life a ransom for many. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, and with his stripes we are healed. He was crucified,—dead,—buried. But the grave did not hold him. No! There would have been no Christmases if he had not risen! He came back to earth and stayed forty days, and then when at last he went up to heaven, he left a commission that all the world should have Christmas given them. Did you know that? Listen while I tell you of 1Ez On that summer day he-led_ the eleven disciples out of the city of Je- rusalem, over the brook: Kedron, up the familiar slopes of the Mount of Olivet. It was the month of flowers; the cloudless, Syrian sky, limitless azure, stretched over their heads; beneath their feet sprang the rich, soft green grass. Behind them lay the city of God, with its forsaken temple; beyond them the blue lake with its moving life. Up the familiar slopes of the mountain side he led them until there was naught between them and his home land, heaven, but the clear, blue sky. And then he lifted up his hands and blessed them,and said, “Thus it behooved the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day; and that re- pentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all na- tions, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And be- hold I send the promise of my Father upon you, and ye shall be endued with power from on high....Go ye ito all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. And lo, I am with you alway.” And when he had said these words a cloud received him out of their sight. Do you catch Jesus’ plan of Christ- mas? Let us watch this evening’s pro- gram and see if that makes it clearer. NG “Light of the World.” (As the speaker steps from the plat- form the children of the Sunday school can be seated on the platform [see page It] or they can be seated in the front seats of the audience room and the su- perintendent, or pastor, takes the plat- form. As soon as the speaker finishes, the children rise and sing, “Light of the World, We Hail Thee,” accompanied of course by the piano, at which the player will remain seated so that there may be no delay when the music occurs later in the program.) VI “The Return of the Wise- SINGING. EXERCISE. Men.” (At the conclusion of the song the superintendent says: ) My young people, this is our Christmas service and we are to have some very unusual visitors. The three wise-men who saw his star in the east and who came to Bethlehem to worship the infant Jesus have come back to us tonight to learn how far the angels’ promise, “Peace on earth; good will to men,’ has extended over the world in the nineteen hundred years since Jesus went back to heaven. They want to know what Christ’s birthday— what Christmas—really means to the world in 1908. I propose that in our ‘service this evening we shall tell them. (As he ceases speaking the three wise- men come from behind a curtain or from a room back of the platform, and Balthasar says:) BALTHASAR. This is a_ festive scene, Mr. Superintendent, and we understand it is your Christmas service. If you do not object, we should like to stay and learn something about your Christmases here upon earth. SUPERINTENDENT. We _ shall be de- lighted to have you, Mr. Wise-Men. If you will be seated here (seating them toward the front of the platform) we will go on with our service, and you must feel at liberty to interrupt us at any time if you. wish to ask any ques- tions. Vil RESPONSIVE EXERCISE. (The superintendent then turns to the school and conducts the following brief responsive exercise: ) SUPERINTENDENT. Now, boys and girls, what was promised in the coming of the Messiah ? SCHOOL. Malachi said, “Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. SUPERINTENDENT. What was said the night that Jesus was born? ScHoot. The angels sang, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. .. . Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” SUPERINTENDENT. What was . Jesus to do? ScHoot. To give light to those that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; . . . to guide our feet in the way of peace. SUPERINTENDENT. What did Jesus say of his own mission? Scuoot. As Moses lifted up the ser- ‘school, without pent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up... . And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto myself. VIII Sincinc. “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” (The pianist, who has remained seated at the piano, strikes the chord, and the announcement, sings, “Tt Came upon the Midnight Clear.) IX Exercise. “The Spread of Christmas.” (At the conclusion of the hymn three boys step to the front of the platform, bow to the wise-men and audience and the first one says:) First Boy. Listen, all people, We bring you good news! We publish glad tidings, The message is yours! The bells from the tower In harmony ring; They herald the coming Of Jesus, our King! Seconp Boy. His name shall endure forever; his name shall be continued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him;—all nations shall call him blessed. Tuirp Boy. Of the increase of his government there shall be no end. Gaspar (rising). May I ask, Mr. Superintendent, if the last speaker can tell me in what way he thinks the king- dom of Jesus has “increased,” what proof there is that it has? Tuirp Boy (replying quickly). Oh, surely, Mr. Wise-Man, there can be no question but that the kingdom of our Lord has increased tremendously since Jesus established it with only twelve dis- ciples! Just look at it in the United States alone. We have here, in the Protestant denominations, over two hundred thousand churches, with more than thirty-two million members. Think of that, Mr. Wise-Man, in comparison with the twelve apostles! (The boys return to their seats.) GASPAR (slowly).’ Yes, yes, those are convincing figures. And I suppose that there are other branches in which the King’s kingdom has been increasing? SUPERINTENDENT (proudly). Indeed, there are. Miss Slocum, cannot you give.the wise-men some information concerning the Sunday schools? Miss Stocum (vising). There is nothing, Mr. Wise-Men, which bears better evidence of the advancement of Christ’s kingdom than what is being done in the Sunday schools of America. For nearly eighteen hundred years after Christ left the earth there was very little done for the children, al- though he gave such a striking example when he took them in his arms and said, “Of such is the kingdom of heaven.” But in 1780 Robert Raikes, an Englishman, started a Sunday. school, and within a few years similar schools had sprung up in all parts of the Chris- tian world. Last. year there were re- ported in the United States more than forty thousand Sunday schools, with an attendance of over thirteen million, while many, many thousands were brought into church membership from the schools. THe THREE WrsE-MEN (fogether). Wonderful! Wonderful! Metcutor. Surely all the children of the United States are to be found in the Sunday schools. SUPERINTENDENT (somewhat embar- rassed), A-hem, not all, not all. But we have other Christianizing agencies. Charles Beckwith, you are the president of our young people’s society; please tell the wise-men what is being done by the young people’s societies. CHARLES (comes forward, bows and says). It used°to be, Mr. Wise-Men, that young folks thought religion was only for the old and the sick people, and that it was not necessary for the boys and girls to have much to do with it. But in the last few years young men and young women have come into the realization that Christ is depending upon them for the extension of a part of his Kingdom, and they are taking up the work splendidly. Strong organ- izations, such as the Baptist Young Peo- ple’s Union, the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor, Young Men’s and Young Women’s Christian Associa- tions and others are doing grand work. I know that I need not tell you that the life of the church has been greatly quickened by these young people’s or- ganizations, (Returns to his seat.) Metcuior. JI am sure that we can be- lieve that, And I suppose, Mr. Super- intendent, that there is also work being done toward the extension of Christ’s kingdom in lands which you do not call Christian ? SUPERINTENDENT, Yes, much _ earnest and effectual work is being done in heathen lands. All the evangelical de- nominations have active mission boards, which are supporting missionaries on foreign mission fields. All of them have established churches and many have founded schools and hospitals. In fact, it is estimated that fully five thousand missionaries from the United States are at work on foreign fields today. BALTHASAR. That is a good record. And do you recall how many ministers of the gospel there are in the United States, in all the Protestant denomina- tions? SUPERINTENDENT (rather hesitatingly). Y-e-s, there are something over two hundred thousand ordained ministers in the United States—but,— BALTHASAR (quickly). O- yes, but perhaps the need is greater here. Yet is it not true that there are agencies at work which advance the kingdom of Jesus which would not come under the head of distinctively Christian agencies? SUPERINTENDENT. Assuredly, yes. Mr. Gregory (iurning to one of the young men of the school), you have been making a study of civic reform, please tell the wise-men what is being done along these lines. Mr. Grecory (coming forward). It is indeed marvelous how the principles laid down by our Saviour are beginning to permeate society in all civilized lands. Fifty and even twenty years ago the brotherhood of man was but little recog- nized, even among those who professed to follow in the footsteps of the Great Teacher. Our prisons were places. of awful incarceration and torture; poverty was regarded as but little short of crime; and suffering humanity every- where bore its own burdens. A won- derful change is taking place. Prison reform is in full sway and the preven- tion of crime, rather than the punish- ment of the criminal, is the new order. Every large city has its board of chari- ties, which’ while aiding dependents is striving to help them to become self- supporting; and penal institutions are being supplanted by reformatories. The children of the poor are clothed, fed and educated; parks and play- grounds are opened for them, and ju- venile courts are vastly lessening the number of child criminals. In short, Civic organizations everywhere, whether consciously or unconsciously, are work- ing out the principles of Jesus. xX “The King of Kings.” (As Mr. Gregory resumes his seat, the pianist, without a moment's delay, strikes the chord and the school sings, “The King of Kings.”’) XE “Where Christmas Has Not SINGING. EXERCISE. Come.” (While the school is singing the three qwise-men step to one side of the plat- form and seem engaged in earnest con- versation, and as the song ceases Bal- thasar turns to the superintendent and says: ) BALTHASAR. We _ have’ been’ very greatly interested in all that we have heard this evening, Mr. Superintendent, greatly interested, It has seemed to us while listening as though there were no reason why the Lord Jesus should not fulfil his promise, that when the gos- pel of the kingdom is preached for a witness unto all nations he would re- turn to earth to reign. Were this, which we have heard and seen here this evening, true of all the world, I am sure that Jesus the King could come into his own at once. But, Mr. Super- intendent, as we were coming here to- day we stopped in some of the countries on the other side of the world, and in some parts of your own country too, and if you are willing we would like to have you and your school hear from some of the people we brought with us. (If the exercise is given as a Sunday night service the visitors can come from a side or back room upon the platform, If a curtain is used it can be drawn back, revealing the entire company sit- ting or standing in little groups. If it is desired to lessen the number taking part there need be but one representa- tive from each class of people. If it is thought best the characters can be taken without the costumes, although the service will be far more effective where the costumes are used, and they can be gotten up with very little trouble. Of the two American boys the first - There are many of us, wears rather rough, heavy clothing, lke a frontier farmer's son; the second boy is in rags and tatters, a typical “slum kid.” If given with the full number there should be three East Indians, a Brahman in long robe and red fez, a high caste woman in bright robe and many jewels, and a little widow in a faded pink gown with a faded pink shawl over her head and face. There should be three Chinese, a Mandarin in native costume, a woman with bound feet and a poor blind beggar: Japan is represented by a young man and a young woman student in modern, fashionable American dress, The two Africans have their heads tied in yel- low and red kerchiefs and one of them has both hands bound in rags. By looking at pictures of Chinese and In- dia people it will be an easy matter to devise all these costumes.) (Balthasar waves toward them and the two American boys come forward.) Frontier Boy (eagerly). I represent the boys and girls in the United States who do not go to Sunday school be- cause we have no Sunday schools to go to. You would not think it, would you, Mr. Superintendent, but there are hun- dreds of thousands of boys and girls right here in the United States who cannot go to Sunday school because there is not any school near enough to us. We live in the western states on big farms, where in many entire coun- ties there is not a church or Sunday school and where a religious service of any kind is pretty nearly unknown. Some of us live in southern states, where in the country districts there are no churches nor Sunday schools; then some of us live in villages and ham- lets where there is no one to conduct the Sunday schools, so we have none. So you see it comes about that there are an awful lot of us right here in our own country who can’t go to Sunday school because there are no schools for us; and of course we can’t celebrate Jesus’ birthday and have Christmas entertainments, because we have no church in which to hold them. Raccep Boy. And I, Mr. Superin- tendent, come to represent the boys and girls who are not American by birth, or whose parents were not born in America, but whose homes are now here and who are to be your citizens. more than twenty million, and almost every steamer coming to your land brings more of us. We are Slavs, Russian Jews, Hungarians, Poles, Bohemians, Greeks, Italians, Chinese, Japanese, East Indians and Filipinos. We swarm in all your great cities, but the majority of us don’t go to your Sunday schools. And Mr. Superintendent, I represent your red brothers, the. Indians, of whom large numbers need the teaching of Jesus almost as much as their East Indian brethren. I also represent the negroes, of whom there are more than eight million. We are all here, Mr. Super- intendent, and don’t you think that the boys and girls whom I represent should be sent to your Sunday schools, for it will be only a few years when we shall be your citizens and home-makers? (The boys step back to their places.) SUPERINTENDENT (looking troubled). This is very distressing, Mr. Wise-Men. It is a problem which I am sure that many of our Sunday schools will take hold of more vigorously than ever be- fore in the year 1909. And not less important is it that we retain our hold upon the boys and girls already in our schools. Here are some of the little ones from our own school, Mr. Wise- Men. Let us hear them sing. XII SINGING BY PRIMARY CLASS. (The primary class here sings, “The Air is Filled With the Echoes.”) XIII BALTHASAR. The situation here in the United States zs distressing, Mr. Superintendent, but I want you to hear also what these others have to tell us. (As he waves his hand toward the visi- tors the Brahman and the two East India women step to the front of the platform.) BrRAHMAN. We come from India, the ancient land of the Vedas. From time immemorial we have been under the domination of the gods, many, many gods, all of whom punish but none of whom love. Ages ago our chief god divided us into castes, and there is no greater sin in India than to break your caste, to speak to or help one not of your own class, or caste. I am a rajah, a Brahman, and I thought I did God service to give my gold to the gods, while under my very eyes my people were dying by thousands from plague and famine. But a man of God from the West, a missionary taught me the story of Jesus, and my life was changed. So I come here tonight to tell you of the misery of my country because it has not heard the glad tid- ings. Womanhood is degraded wher- ever Jesus is not known, and in my country even a high caste woman like this one (pointing to her), must live in seclusion; while throughout India there are twenty million little widows like that one (touching the widow lightly) who are married in childhood and who because their husbands have died must spend all the rest of. their sad lives as broken-hearted, oppressed drudges—lit- tle morsels of misery, your missionaries call them. (The three wise-men start at the Brahmans closing words and Gaspar Says: ) Gaspar. And yet nearly two. thou- sand years ago Jesus the King came to heal the broken-hearted, to comfort those who mourn! How can it be true about these widows? (As the East Indians return to their seats the Africans come forward and one of them says, in a dejected, hopeless tone: ) Arrican. Mr. Superintendent, we come from the country which is called the Dark Continent, and for ages it was black with the darkness of heathenism. But the missionaries came and a little light began to glimmer. Some of us be- gan to see, and’oh! what a change it made in our lives. We thought that day- break was dawning for our sad coun- try. Then, Mr. Superintendent, your merchants began coming, and_ they brought the black drink which made a darkness for us far worse than that we had known before the missionaries came. It made demons of men who had simply been ignorant animals be- fore. Next there came merchants with soldiers to buy our rubber products. We were glad; we thought that they would make our lives easier and better. But, Mr. Super- intendent, it meant slavery for us, and pain, and death. They beat us, and maimed us (showing the bound arms), and killed our loved ones to make us bring in more rubber, and our trouble is very great. Can’t your great country, Mr. Superintendent, persuade the mer- chants not to bring us any more rum, and can’t it help to make the cruel sol- diers go away? And oh, Mr. Superin- tendent, won’t your good Christian peo- ple send us many more missionaries, be- cause so many of my people have never heard the glad tidings of Jesus, and how can there be any Christmas like this (pointing to the school) when they do not know of Jesus? (As they turn to their places the Su- perintendent says:) SUPERINTENDENT. My good man, your poor country has our full sympathy and we trust that a better day is dawning for you. We shall pray and work that the Lord of the Harvest may send more laborers into Africa. (The Japanese come forward and he adds) I hope that the Japanese students may be able to give us an encouraging report from their country, JAPANESE YOUTH (flippantly). O yes, we can. Our land, Japan, is the most advanced in the Orient. We have schools and places of learning estab- lished all over the kingdom. Our cities are open to Western commerce and. we are fully abreast of the times. Our girls, even, (waving his hand loftily to- ward his companion) are entering some of the higher schools with our young men students. (Balthasar says something to him in- audibly, to which he seems to reply in saying: ) JAPANESE YOUTH, Christianity? Well, we have not adopted it very widely. A few years ago everybody, seemingly, was thinking of it. But there were so few who understood it and so few mission- aries to teach it that many who wanted to learn could find no one to teach them. And in time we found that Western civilization was just as well without it, so now we don’t think much about it. Y-e-s, we ought to have some principles of ethics and morality, and we are trying to select the best from Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, Agnosticism and similar cults. They are all good, you know (patronizingly, as he and his companion step back to their seats.) (The superintendent looks after them seriously as he says to the school:) SUPERINTENDENT (very earnestly). I almost fear that the time a few years ago, of which the Japanese spoke, was the day of good tidings for Japan, and we held our peace. Let us pray earnest- ly that He to whom we must render ac- count may yet enable us to retrieve our lost opportunity there. (As the Japanese draw back to their places the Chinese come forward and the mandarin makes obeisance in the Chi- nese manner, thus: placing his fists to- gether, palms inward, he raises them to his chest, and then, as he bows low, ex- tends them forward and downward in a sweeping movement; then, returning to an upright position, he brings his fists back up to his chest, where he shakes them back and forth once or twice, then lets them fall. The whole movement should be made in a graceful and digni- fied manner, not too quickly, keeping the fists together throughout. Then he SaVS:) CHINESE Manpartn. My land was old in science, literature and art, Mr, Super- intendent, before your honorable coun- try began its existence, and for thou- sands of years before the rest of the world began any civilization we were living by the principles enunciated by our great sages. But our young men have been traveling in other worlds than China. Even our old men have gone beyond the seas; and they tell us that China, hoary, aged China, is lack- ing in some things, Perhaps it is true (shakes his head meditatively), I, too, have been watching other countries and it may be best for us to have Western commerce, railways, colleges, and schools, yet there is something else I fear, we need even more than those. Your missionaries have long been tell- ing us that there is something else we need far more, and I am beginning to see that that is true. There are more than four hundred millions of people in my country and oh, there is much sor- row among them. There are millions of sick folk, but hardly any hospitals; every street in the city, every lane of the highway is lined with the blind, the lame, the beggar and the insane, and there is scarcely a blind asylum, scarce- ly an insane asylum, or a charitable ref- uge, aside from those maintained by the missionaries, in all our vast territory. (He pauses impressively for a moment, and then turning tragically toward the school he throws out his hand and ejacu- lates,) Curistmas! Nine tenths of our four hundred million people in China have never heard of such a day! MetcuHior (in a shocked tone of voice, to his companions). Nine tenths of the most populous nation in the world never yet heard of Jesus, and he came nearly two thousand years ago! What. does it mean? (The superintendent and the school look troubled and the three wise-men seem to be consulting together for a mo- ment. Them Balthasar goes over to the blackboard and writes. If the school has a reversible board it can be pre- pared beforehand, in which case Bal- thasar simply turns it. If not, he can produce a prepared placard on which 1s written in large letters: ONE.HUNDRED MILLION PEO- PLEIN. THE-WORLD’ TODAY WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF JESUS (He turns to the superintendent and Says: ) BALTHASAR. We know that you are as much pained over what these visitors have told us as we are ourselves, Mr. Superintendent, but we have just been making a calculation from their reports. This is the result. (He reads aloud:) ONE HUNDRED MILLION PEO- PLE 4IN -THE-“WORLDS TODAS: WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF JESUS SUPERINTENDENT, We are indeed ap- palled at what we have heard and at these deplorable figures. But, Mr. Wise- man, there is a glorious campaign being inaugurated for King Jesus of which you have not yet heard, and which we believe is to do more toward hastening the coming of the kingdom of Jesus throughout the world than anything which has been done in the eighteen hundred years since he went back to heaven. Miss Hopegood, (turning to one of the young women of the school) you have just returned from Boston and New York, where you have been at our missionary headquarters, and where also you have seen the plan put into execu- tion. Won’t you please tell the wise-men about The Baptist Forward Movement for Missionary Education? . Miss Hopecoop. (The very best speaker of the school should be chosen as Miss Hopegood. Much of the success of the exercise will depend upon the manner in which she does her part. She comes to the front and speaks with much ear- nestness and vivacity.) I am so glad to tell you, Mr. Wise-men, and so glad to tell those who have come with you (bowing toward them) about this move- ment for missions, for I believe that eventually it will entirely change all the stories these visitors have told us to- night. It is called The Baptist Forward Movement for Missionary Education and it is being, inaugurated in all the churches and Sunday schools throughout our beautiful home land. It is a de- termined effort to enlist the Sunday schools,— yes, the entire church, men and women, young and old, and all our boys and girls in helping to carry out the Great Commission. It means _ that EVERY Christian shall help to give the gospel to EVERY creature in all the great round world. To accomplish this there has been es- tablished a systematic course of study of the mission fields, both home and for- eign, that we may become intelligent workmen and know the vineyard the Master has given us to till. A fine set of graded mission study books has been prepared, adapted for the little folks, the young people, the woman’s societies and the men of the churches. With such splendid text-books mission study classes are being organized all over the country as a matter of course; not only in the churches but-in the schools and col- leges, while many, many Sunday schools are making mission topics and mission instruction a regular part of the Sunday school course of study. In this way we are going to become a body of intelligent, Christian workers who are acquainted with all parts of Christ’s great king- dom. This will result, as is always the case where. there is knowledge of the need, in a large increase of offerings of life and money. Our Christian young peo- ple who are in earnest will give their lives where they are needed most, where they will tell the most for Christ. One of the cardinal principles of this move- ment is the adoption of the old Pauline system of giving. We are laying by weekly, as God has prospered, and that is to start the flow of A STREAM OF MONEY FOR MISSIONS. It is teaching us to “Give! as the morning that flows out of heaven; Give! as the waves when their chan- nel is riven; Give! as the free air and sunshine are given; Lavishly, utterly, joyfully give— SF as He gave thee, who gave thee to ive. Now to bring into execution this splendid principle of giving as God has prospered us, every Baptist Sunday school in our land is being asked to use these little double envelopes (producing one and holding it up before the: audi- ence). In this the scholar puts his regu- lar contribution for the school, and his REGULAR CONTRIBUTION. FOR MISSIONS. Do you know that if we all do. this in the year 1909 the 10 contributions from our Sunday schools will increase more than two hundred per cent? Do you not think that we would better do it? Oh, Mr. Wise-Men (turning to them), do you not see how this Forward Movement is to change those (pointing to the black- board) sad figures in the next ten years? Do you not believe that it will help im- measurably to bring in the day when - every knee shall bow to our King Jesus? Gaspar. Indeed it will. That day so long prophesied is surely coming. The star that shone so brightly on that first Christmas night will shine over all the earth. For all peoples shall know him and all lands shall be his. Your prayers, your gifts, your efforts, will hasten the dawning of that day. Give them freely, as Christ gave for you. SUPERINTENDENT, This is the purpose of the Forward Movement. .And our pastor is to tell us of the spirit of this Movement, whose promise is so great. XIV ADDRESS BY PASTOR. (The Pastor is then introduced to Speak briefly, not over five minutes, on “The Spirit of the Forward Move- ment.” ) XV OFFERING. (At the conclusion of his address the offering should be _ taken. Careful emphasis should be placed upon the fact that this is a special offering for foreign missions, not the regular offering of the school.) : XVI sincinc. “We've a Story to Tell.” (The service concludes with the song, “We've a Story to Tell.”) HOW TO ELABORATE THE PROGRAM Description of the stage setting when the foregoing Christmas missionary ex- ercise is used as the program for the Sunday school Christmas entertain- ment. FIRST SCENE. The platform will need to be as large as possible and a cur- tain should extend entirely across it. One end of the platform should be screened by another curtain, behind which the piano, pianist, singers and readers can be hidden from the audience. The main part of the platform should be made to represent, as much as is pos- sible with a little trouble, the khan de- scribed at the bottom of page 56 and at the top of page 57 in Wallace’s “Ben Hur.” This can be done by improvising a manger or two and placing them at the back or side of the platform; a shock or two of grain and fodder can be lying about the mangers, and some earthenware cooking utensils and other household property can also be in evi- dence. When the curtains are drawn there must be a dim light on the plat- form to show the scene within. A star large enough to be plainly visible must hang directly over the middle and at the front of the platform. If electricity is not used in the church this star can be made easily by cutting it out of tin, nail- ing it over a lidless box and slipping a candle or lamp back of it, which can be lighted just as the room is darkened for the first scene. The room is darkened II just before the exercises begin and at the same moment the star shines forth. The invisible choir sings the “Cantique de Noel’ and as they finish, the curtain is drawn revealing the khan in which are seated Mary and Joseph, beside one of the mangers, looking into it. The wise-men are standing at her side in a reverential attitude. SECOND SCENE. _ At the conclusion of the song, “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” the lights are turned on and the curtains of the platform are closed. The speaker takes her place in front of the closed curtains, or at one side, and after the prefatory remark, recites the little story of the life of Jesus. Too much emphasis can not be laid upon clear, distinct and sympathetic speak- ing. THIRD SCENE. While the last speaker has been reciting, the platform behind the curtains has been quietly cleared and arranged for a Sunday school Christmas entertainment. The piano is pushed into view, a dozen or more chairs are placed in order and Christmas greens are hung. As the speaker finishes, the curtains are drawn, revealing the superintendent and the scholars in their places. Behind the screened part of the platform are the wise-men and the visitors. Of course if the platform is not large enough for this they can come in from another room. The dress of the three wise-men is described in full on pages 13, 14, 16, and 17 of “Ben Hur.” It is somewhat as follows: BALTHASAR, the Egyptian, wears a white cotton gown extending to his feet, open at the throat, and with tight sleeves; over it is a long, dark cloak, held in by a sash at the waist; on his head a red kerchief. MELCHIOR, the Hindu, wears a skull cap wound about with a white scarf; wide, white trousers gathered in at the ankles; a white cloak which almost reaches his ankles; and red, pointed slip- pers. GASPAR, the Greek, should be a blond and should be bare-headed. He wears a bright colored blanket over his shoul- ders; underneath it a short-sleeved, low- necked tunic, reaching almost to the knees, and gathered in at the waist by a belt. Sandals are on his feet, but his legs, arms and neck are bare. These costumes can be gotten up with very little trouble or expense; Melchior’s white cloak can be made with sheets, and his red slippers out of red outing flannel or eider-down. A long blouse jacket can answer for Gaspar’s tunic. In the costumes for the visitors of the third scene as little trouble need be taken. The most important thing is to select the boys and girls who will “fit” their characters: short, dark girls for the Chinese and Japanese women; a tall, thin, dark girl for the high caste India woman, a short, dark girl for the little widow. SEND OFFERINGS TO SUNDAY SCHOOL COOPERATING COMMITTEE Forp Buriprne, Bosron, Mass., or 779-t Ed.-15 M-October, 1908 12 88 E. Tutrtiera Str., Curcaco, Itt.